Abstract

Web Mapping Applications for the National Biological Information Infrastructure
Track: Ocean, Coastal, and Marine Resources
Authors: Zach Vernon

The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) is a collaborative program under the United States Geological Survey (USGS) which provides increased access to data and information on the nation's biological resources. The Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) developed a unique variety of regional ArcGIS Server web mapping applications through NBII partnerships. Working with data from Texas Parks and Wildlife, HARC developed the Texas Coastal Fisheries Mapping Application, which aggregates thirty years of population sampling data for Texas bays by season and species while incorporating hydrological and meteorological data. The Ecoregions Mapping Application provides access to regional geographic distributions of threatened and endangered species, invasive species, ecoregion boundaries, and climatalogical conditions. Using species distribution data provided by The Harte Research Institute (HRI), HARC developed the Gulf of Mexico Biodiversity Mapping Application which explores the species and habitat in the Gulf, displaying distribution information on marine life groups as well as background datasets.